In Case You Missed It:

Saviors Day attendees were worldwide

The Muhammad Study Group No. 22 in Wilkinsburg convinced me that I needed to attend Saviors Day in Chicago. They promised me it would be a memorable and joyous occasion, and they were totally accurate. At first I thought those in attendance were from every state in the country, but there were people from all over the world.

Every person that I met —and I assure you there many—were friendly, outgoing, and all greeted me with “brother,” “Happy Saviors Day” or “As Salaam Alaikum!”

I was afforded the opportunity to sit and talk with proud Blacks from city after city, young, old, male and female and I was delighted with the common concerns and solutions that I believe, discuss and write about. It was a good feeling to witness untold numbers who were so alive when they would say “Happy Saviors Day.” I would ask them how often they have attended. One couple said since 1950 and many others said every year. It depended on their age and when they joined the Nation of Islam.

There were workshops on every subject from a mother’s lap is a child’s first school to every issue that has the capacity to effect positive change on the lives of Black people. It is remarkable that The Nation of Islam and the Christian Church have so much in common, contrary to what a vast number of people believe.

It was not possible to attend all the workshops, but I did attend Do For Self, Save Our Youth, Communication and Publication, Danger of Drugs Legal and Illegal, and How to communicate With Young Persons.

I was unable to hear the Minister speak on Sunday, but I have ordered his tape. I was informed that his message was a message to all Blacks no matter what their religion and that was a message of “responsibility.”

To those whom I have daily conversation with understand very clearly that I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan. Often when I make that statement people ask me why?

My answer is easy. Because of the open stance that he takes as it relates to Black folks in 2010, epitomizing the courageous Black men of yesterday, religious leaders, business people, fathers, politicians like Congressman Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Paul Roberson, A. Phillip Randolph, Marcus Garvey, and countless other historical leaders.